Kiva Auditorium At The Albuquerque Convention Center

Terrible venue! Acoustics are awful, the staff is really disorganized. They didn’t have enough seats set up (or properly labeled) for the tickets they sold (in the most expensive section, right in front of the stage).
Has a terrible vibe, makes you feel like you’re seeing a show at an airport. (I take that back, the Albuquerque airport has more soul, and possibly better acoustics)
I’ve been to two shows there now, will not return.

The sound is good but the place needs big screen TVs for the limited view sections. Parking fee is descent & reasonable. Its stagnant architectually but you realize it is a convention center, it’s a little vanilla. Staff good, merch space spacious, & bar service aplenty.

The first thing I want to know about a music/​performance venue is the following: can I get up to the front and rock out? The answer for the Kiva is a definite No. Buy your ticket, sit in your seat and hopefully enjoy the show.
Two concerts for me, here: Beck and Pixies. An aside: Beck, don’t rap. Just don’t do it. I mean, it’s cool for your recordings, but don’t play that when you’re live, you’re ridiculous. Pixies: no worries about the loss of Kim Deal. Yeah, she helped craft the songs that made ya famous, but it’s pretty easy to sub a female bassist for your role. I missed ya, but I saw ya with The Breeders and that was enough. Some marriages simply aren’t meant to last and I’m glad you got out of this one, you’re better off on your own.
The Kiva Auditorium makes you sit. Until it’s time to stand. And then all of the short people are screwed. You can buy a beer before the show and during intermission, at premium pricing. So choose wisely, dear Unilocaler. Great bands visit this venue. You’ll be sitting for most of the show, and when the big numbers are played you’re lucky if you have a sight line between the shoulders of the tall peeps in front of you. That said, it’s a good venue. Best idea: close your eyes and let the speakers drown you.

I’ve been here for 2 concerts: All American Rejects (circa 2009) and Vampire Weekend (2013). The acoustics in this auditorium are excellent no matter where you’re sitting. However, I do have 2 main complaints:
1) They don’t serve alcohol. I haven’t quite figured out why. Perhaps it is because the shows I attended were both all age shows. If this were the case, wouldn’t wrist bands solve that problem? OR, perhaps it is because the seats are kinda nice and they don’t want drunk a$$ holes spilling beer all over the place. If this were the case, wouldn’t confining beer drinkers to a certain area solve that problem (like Sunshine theatre)? Whatever it is, I like to get drinks at concerts… just my style. I recommend putting in a bar.
2) Both the events I attended at the Kiva had assigned seating instead of general admission. This means if I buy my ticket separate from my friends, we can’t sit together, and that’s a bummer. Additionally, the most die-​hard fans should be the ones in front screaming with their hands up, not the ones who had more money for tickets (I’m not sure if the closer seats were more expensive, but if they were, this applies). Not sure if this decision lies with the venue or with the band, but if it lies with the venue, they should reconsider it. Perhaps take out seats in the front and allow some tickets to be purchased gen admish for that area.
This is a beautiful auditorium and the sound is great, so I will definitely return.

Love coming to the Kiva. There are often musicians that come here or other convention conferences. The plush red velvety seats are nice and snuggly, hopefully you will not fall asleep. The sound is nice, since it is Kiva-​ish shaped. The location is nice. Park in the connected lot and walk through the corridors, as you pass by the other rooms check out the quinceaneras that are being set up and stare at the child brides or walk by the cat convention or bodies exhibit. Then step outside and go to some nearby good eats.

Worst venue in te country. Never again.